Evaluation of digestibility and digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) of barley and corn protein concentrates using a minipig model.

PURPOSE: With the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality protein sources, evaluating their digestibility and amino acid availability is essential for human nutrition. The objective of this study was to assess the digestibility and Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) of two novel protein sources, barley protein concentrate (BPC) and corn protein concentrate (CPC), using a minipig model as a proxy for human digestion

METHODS

A T-cannulated minipig model (n = 6) was employed in a crossover design to measure standardized ileal amino acids (AA) digestibility and calculate DIAAS values, following Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines. Each protein source was tested alongside a protein-free diet to estimate basal endogenous AA losses.

RESULTS

BPC exhibited a stable AA profile with an overall digestibility of 92.5%, while CPC had a digestibility of 88.9%. Lysine was identified as the most limiting AA in both proteins. The DIAAS values for BPC were 31, 38, and 45 for infants, children, and adults, respectively; for CPC, the values were 45, 54, and 64.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential of BPC and CPC as valuable protein sources for human consumption.